title: Concerns on the dosing of antitubercular drugs for children in RNTCP.
abstract: The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) has initiated provision of antitubercular therapy for children with strategy of patient-wise boxes for the 4 different weight bands (6- 10 kg; 11- 17 kg; 18- 25 kg; 26- 30 kg). We evaluated the dose of individual drugs delivered by this approach to children of varying weights. The following areas of concern were identified: underdosing of individual antitubercular drugs for many weights; lack of provision to modify doses when child gains weight and moves to another weight band; and, inappropriate formulations, particularly for infants. We conclude that the current dosing strategy used in RNTCP needs modification to prevent the significant risk of underdosing and undertreatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS, New Delhi 110 029, India. rakesh_lodha@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lodha
authors.forename: P Ramesh
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kabra
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001835:Body Weight; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D009313:National Health Programs; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents